A MIDDLEWICH woman was not wearing a seatbelt when she was killed in a horrific car accident, an inquest has heard.

Shirley Sheeran, 45, of Nantwich Road, died following the crash just minutes from her home on April 9.

Mrs Sheeran was travelling along the A530 Nantwich Road as a passenger when her partner, David Park, from Alsager, lost control of his Lotus Elise at a bend.

The vehicle crashed through a fence and rolled down a steep embankment before ending up in a field.

Mr Park said: "I felt the rear end of my car wobble as I entered the bend.

"I was dazed and when I got out of the car I found her lying on the grass."

Crewe Coroners' Court was told that the victim was not wearing a seatbelt at the time the car left the road.

PC Patrick Byrne, collision investigator at Cheshire Police, said: "The speed he (Park) negotiated the first part of the bend is unknown. There is a bend warning sign and the word 'slow' is written on the surface.

"It was likely that he braked because he was uncomfortable with his speed."

Mr Park denied he was driving too fast.

Janet Napier, deputy coroner for Cheshire, said: "There was a loss of control in the second part of an apex bend.

"She was not wearing a seatbelt and was unfortunately thrown out of the car."

A post mortem examination revealed Mrs Sheeran died of multiple injures as a result of the accident.

Dr Napier said: "Her injuries were so severe she probably died at the scene."

A verdict of accidental death was recorded.

phennessey@guardiangrp.co.uk